11 psychological effects of travel every travelers must know

Who does not enjoy a good trip to a city he had never been to? Traveling is a great motivation, as well as a source of joy, reflection, and self-discovery. Traveling allows us to explore new climates and cultures, immerse ourselves in them and stimulate our mind. Here, we present the psychological effects of travel.

Obviously, there are other people who prefer monotony and be comfortable in their home. But the truth is that the rush for travel has been increasing in recent decades. Television, film, and internet have opened a window to other parts of the world, unique places that call our attention. The fact that prices have been going down, allowing more people to move around the globe has also influenced this boom to travel. Keep reading: HOW TO GET TO HAVASU FALLS GRAND CANYON?

Psychological effects of travel

There is an extensive scientific literature about the psychological and emotional benefits of good travel habits. Of course, some of these benefits can be quite intuitive, but it never hurts that science investigates and discovers the details that cause travel in our psyche.

Science has spoken

Without going any further, a study that was published in the Journal of Positive Psychology discovered that the feeling of happiness is found in the record of memories and experiences relevant to us, and whose maximum expression is travel.

Other investigations point to a clear correlation between being a traveler and longevity. Although this could be due to a socioeconomic factor (and therefore would be a spurious correlation), it also seems to have detected something like a traveling gene . The fact of traveling to different places on the planet is not in itself a factor that explains a greater longevity, but it does seem clear the psychological benefits that the experiences acquired during the trips give us. These can improve our quality of life and, ultimately, lengthen the number of days we live.

All kinds of travel are positive

When researchers talk about travel, they are very clear about it: every type of trip is positive for the psychological health of those who do it. From nearby destinations to trips to remote and exotic places, all trips can be a great source of emotional well-being. It is not necessary to go very far, spend a lot of money, or practice any specific activity: all trips “add up”.

However, and as is logical, there are trips that report much more interesting experiences than others. Anyway, all the experiences that we live away from home can be very positive to stimulate our mind. Each person has preferences regarding the adventures and depends on many factors, such as personality, age, and other variables.

Requirements for a trip to change our lives

Many people confess to their friends, assuring them that a trip they did literally changed their lives. It is true, sometimes trips destroy many of our thinking schemes and make us see beyond, opening us to new worlds and possibilities that we did not even contemplate before.

Some of the requirements for a trip to be a kind of ‘reset’ of our mind are the following:

The trip was made without company or with a group of individuals unknown until then.

The culture of the country or region visited was substantially different from the traveler’s own culture.

They were rather long trips , of more than 2 weeks.

If you have ever had an existential crisis , you may have noticed that sometimes we need a change in our daily dynamics. In this sense, traveling can help us recover our faith in ourselves and even overcome bad times.

The 11 psychological effects of travel

Surely there are many more than eleven, but in today’s article, we will list the 11 most important psychological effects of travel and knowing the world.

1. Reduce stress and anxiety

Stress is the pandemic of the nineteenth century in Western countries . The demands of work, the rush and the hectic pace of life cause us a latent discomfort that, sooner or later, manifests itself through stress pictures. We can not stop thinking about our obligations, at the meetings of tomorrow or in the labor uncertainty that haunts us, and we forget to enjoy the present and the small pleasures of life.

However, when we embark on a trip, we disconnect from all these daily anxieties and focus on living in the present , relaxing in the pool, visiting paradisiacal beaches, moving with the beauty of the landscapes … We focus on the moment and we are not looking for any meeting or to comply with work routines.

2. Power your ability to solve problems

Throughout a trip, we force ourselves to leave our comfort zone and we must face certain situations and contexts that require greater involvement. You will live certain experiences in which you will have to make decisions and solve problems.

It is likely that you get lost in the streets that you do not know, that you go with the right time to the places and that you must communicate with natives who do not speak your language. In summary, throughout the odyssey you will have to solve several problems and complicated situations that will arise, and this will help you improve this capacity.

3. Increase your communication and social skills

If you have always wanted to meet new people and make friends, you should bear in mind that traveling gives you the best opportunity to connect with other people . Being in an unknown place, it is very likely that you will be encouraged to talk with people and thus develop your social skills.

Do not worry if during the first days it costs you a bit to address people you meet along the way. Once the stage environment has been overcome, you will surely be able to meet exceptional people who will make your experience meaningful. You may even make friends and come back after a while to visit them , or receive them in your own home.

4. Open your mind and expand your horizons

Traveling is the best solution to get rid of stereotypes and prejudices . In fact, you often hear that “traveling is the best cure against racism.” Prejudice makes us feel suspicious of people for irrational reasons , and distances us from the possibility of connecting with new people.

When we are expedition to a new culture, we will realize that some of these thoughts were not well founded . We will discover people and new customs that deserve our appreciation, helping us to open our minds and to relate in a more kind way with all kinds of people.

5. Encourages self-discovery

Taking an exciting trip is the best way to get to know yourself . We temporarily abandon our daily context and visit a completely different environment, which can help us take perspective on who we are and what we want in life .

In addition, traveling can give us a new vital focus, discovering things we did not know we liked.

6. It makes you happier

The experiences we experience during trips make us secrete different happiness hormones, such as endorphins. When we are away from home we forget the worries and labor and family obligations. During a trip, we carry out activities that we like and that promote that we relate to other people.

7. It keeps you away from fear and insecurities

The fear is a feeling that paralyzes us. And, as many experts say, the best way to overcome fears is to confront them. Once we become aware that fears are only in our heads, little by little we relativize and banish them.

Surely, before embarking on a trip to a distant and unknown destination, you have fears and insecurities such as: “Am I going to feel lonely?” And even, depending on the destination you choose, you may feel that you risk being robbed on the street or not being able to understand people if you have any problems.

The reality is that exposing ourselves to fears is the best way to overcome them. Many people have gone on a trip before and only a minority has experienced something serious. Give yourself the opportunity to know a new culture and overcome your insecurities.

8. It makes you rethink many things

Spending time away from home can expand your way of seeing things and life in general. Your priorities may change, henceforth you give less importance to material things and values plus other things you did not value before.

9. Encourage you to be more empathetic

Changing the context and immersing yourself in a new city and a previously unknown culture offers you the possibility of relativizing your daily problems and putting yourself in the shoes of other people who, perhaps, have a much more complicated life than yours.

This can encourage you to be more empathetic and to be able to value that other people may have different value systems.

10. You learn constantly

Living unique experiences in different environments to which we are accustomed provide us with learning and knowledge that improve us as people. It gives us another insight into things, about relationships, about religion, about the way different cultures deal with life.

In addition, the habit of traveling provides us with the tools so that we can question our day to day and our most ingrained values. Knowing new things strengthens us skills and abilities that we had latent, and develops our critical spirit.

11. Develop your vision of things and expand horizons

Traveling and getting to know new countries and cultures broadens our vision of society. It makes us more respectful and flexible since we learn to value the needs and thought patterns of the people we know. You might also like: https://kooiii.com/8-mindset-stop-order-travel-alone/